Latest news with #InternationalProtectionApplicants
Irish Independent
3 days ago
- Politics
- Irish Independent
No plans for former Tipperary convent to house asylum seekers
In a post on social media, Labour Party councillor Michael 'Chicken' Brennan said that there are no plans to house International Protection Applicants (IPAs) in Ballingarry's Old Convent. Cllr Brennan said that following conversations with the owners of the Old Convent, Ballingarry, outside Thurles, he can confirm that the property is not being examined for use as an IPAS centre. The Labour Party councillor also said that there has been no offer of accommodation made, and that the Department of Justice are not examining the property for use. "After talking to the owners yesterday evening of the Old Convent, Ballingarry, Thurles that no offer of accommodation has been received and the Department within IPAS are not examining the property for use,' Cllr Brennan wrote on social media. "I would request people to be calm and not spread misinformation with regard to this premises,' Cllr Brennan added. Two years ago, Tipperary County Council granted planning permission for use as tourist accommodation. The plans at the time gave the green light for seven dwellings made up of a mix of two, three, four and five bedroom houses, with a digital hub proposed for an existing school room while the disused chapel would be converted to a community building. Those plans would also see the old Presentation National school converted to a café and showroom.
Irish Independent
5 days ago
- Irish Independent
Kerry gardaí investigate alleged security breach at Ballymullen Barracks
The incident was reported on June 8 at approximately 12 noon. Ballymullen is home to around 50 International Protection Applicants (IPAS) since December 2024. The Kerryman understands the individual started recording while walking across the main yard of the barracks and through to the living quarters. Images of a person walking the corridors can be seen while knocking on doors and talking with residents. A security guard then instructs the person to leave the premises as Ballymullen Barracks is private property. The incident was reported to the guards who say its investigations are ongoing. The Department of Integration has since publicly stated it takes the safety of IPAS residents seriously.
Irish Independent
6 days ago
- Irish Independent
Kerry gardaí investigate Ballymullen Barracks incident
The incident was reported on June 8 at approximately 12 noon. Ballymullen is home to around 50 International Protection Applicants (IPAS) since December 2024. The Kerryman understands the individual started recording while walking across the main yard of the barracks and through to the living quarters. Images of a person walking the corridors can be seen while knocking on doors and talking with residents. A security guard then instructs the person to leave the premises as Ballymullen Barracks is private property. The incident was reported to the guards who say its investigations are ongoing. The Department of Integration has since publicly stated it takes the safety of IPAS residents seriously.
Irish Independent
03-06-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
Meath councillors back council's rejection of exemption for IPAS centre in industrial unit
The application, submitted by Erinpark Ltd, sought a section five declaration for what it described as "non-material amendments to the facade" of Unit 29 in Oaktree Business Park, along with a change of use from commercial purposes to temporary housing for those seeking international protection. Trim councillors supported the council's decision, emphasising the importance of proper regulatory scrutiny. Councillor Ronan Moore said: "I didn't expect these exemption applications to – succeed. The reason being that these buildings are commercial or industrial in nature. To make them suitable for people to live in – and to meet requirements around disability access, fire safety, and building regulations – significant internal works would be needed. And in almost every case, this would also involve external alterations, and if external works are required then it cannot be considered exempt development.' A separate application concerning a premises on Fairgreen in Trim is currently under review, with a decision expected by June 10. Mr Moore added: "I would like to expect that the same logic will hold up in the second application in town due to be made by June 10. And that this too will not be granted exempted development. However, there is a deeper issue here and that is how the government has allowed private and commercial interests to drive the placement of IPAS centres. "And as a result of this, no consideration appears to be given in the first instance to the needs and concerns of either the potential International Protection Applicants or the communities that are expected to welcome them. As a result, local towns and villages are for weeks left frustrated and uncertain as to what is happening in their community. This is simply not good enough." Councillor Noel French also welcomed the outcome, stating he was 'glad' the exemption was denied. 'The building was not suitable for use as an IPAS centre and for use by human beings. The government should address the use of section 5s and reform the legislation,' he said. In its decision, the planner pointed out that the applicant did not provide sufficient documentation about the proposed changes, including a lack of drawings to clearly outline the modifications to the facade. The planner's report indicated that the "proposed development would most likely require additional windows, vents and potential fire safety measures in order to convert the existing structure into a habitable space in terms of natural lighting, ventilation fire safety etc" and that in order to "successfully change the use of the structure to provide accommodation suitable for human habitation, material changes to the external facade would be required".
Irish Independent
28-05-2025
- General
- Irish Independent
Tipperary property will not become IPAS centre despite change of use application
A Section 5 planning exemption has been submitted to Tipperary County Council for a property on the Old Road in Cashel, with rumours spreading on social media that the property is to be used as accommodation for International Protection Applicants. Taking to his own social media page, Cashel councillor Liam Browne has moved to clarify that there are no plans to build or develop an IPAS centre at the Old Road property. "The application is seeking to change the use of an existing residential house, to a residential care facility. Nothing new will be built on the site, without a full planning application,' Cllr Browne outlined. The change of use application states that the applicants are applying for 'a declaration of exempted development … regarding the change of use from residential to provide a residential care facility for children at risk, including those with learning difficulties.' "The number of residents will not exceed six, and the number of carers will not exceed two,' the planning file states. 'The new owners of the building, are a company called Odyssey Social Care. They provide care to children with physical, mental and learning disabilities," Mr Browne added. "The current proposal is to provide such care at the property. The occupants would only be children, ie, under 18, and the maximum number of children would be 6, with 2 carers". Tipperary County Council have written to the applicants to ensure that only children with disabilities will be housed at the site, and not anyone else. Odyssey Social Care do provide care for unaccompanied minors within the International Protection system, but it is not thought that the Cashel site would be used for this purpose, Cllr Browne added.
